Ventilation Appartus

ABSTRACT

A ventilation apparatus includes a casing having the inside partitioned into a first floor and a second floor. A first sharing duct is formed in the first floor and configured to suck one of indoor air and outdoor air and to have the sucked air horizontally moved. A second sharing duct is formed in the second floor and configured to suck the other of indoor air and outdoor air and to have the sucked air horizontally moved. First and second heat exchangers are disposed in the first and second sharing ducts, respectively. The ventilation apparatus is advantageous in that air resistance is minimized, horizontally moving air is subject to heat exchange with the entire area of the heat exchanger, and efficiency of heat exchange between air and the heat exchanger is improved because air is divided into the first floor and the second floor and horizontally moved.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(a) to PatentApplication No. 10-2015-0004411, filed in the Republic of Korea on Jan.12, 2015, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated byreference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a ventilation apparatus.

2. Discussion of the Related Art

In general, a ventilation apparatus refers to an apparatus configured todischarge contaminated indoor air, suck in fresh and clean outdoor air,and supply the fresh and clean outdoor air to the indoors.

An air-conditioner not having a ventilation function cools or heatsindoor air while circulating the indoor air.

In this case, the air-conditioner to which outdoor air is not introducedfilters the indoor air through a filter, etc. If air-conditioning isperformed using only the indoor air, however, the quality of the indoorair is gradually reduced.

For this reason, examples in which a ventilation apparatus capable ofsucking an outdoor air and discharging an indoor air is installed and acombination of an air-conditioner and ventilation apparatus capable ofheating and cooling is installed have recently increased.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide a ventilation apparatusin which an outdoor air duct and an indoor air duct are simply formed.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a ventilationapparatus capable of increasing a contact area with air that flows in alimited space.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a ventilationapparatus in which the movement resistance of air is small.

Further yet another object of the present invention is to provide aventilation apparatus capable of reducing power consumption byminimizing a height difference of the movement of the air.

A ventilation apparatus in accordance with an aspect of the presentinvention includes a casing configured to have a first sharing ductformed in a first floor and to have a second sharing duct formed in asecond floor; an indoor suction chamber formed in the casing, connectedto the first sharing duct and the second sharing duct, and configured tosuck an indoor air; an indoor discharge chamber formed in the casing,connected to the first sharing duct and the second sharing duct, andconfigured to discharge air indoors; an outdoor suction chamber formedin the casing, connected to the first sharing duct and the secondsharing duct, and configured to suck an outdoor air; an outdoordischarge chamber formed in the casing, connected to the first sharingduct and the second sharing duct, and configured to discharge airoutdoors; a first heat exchanger disposed in the first sharing duct; asecond heat exchanger disposed in the second sharing duct; an indoorsuction damper disposed in the indoor suction chamber and configured toselectively open or close any one of the first sharing duct and thesecond sharing duct; an indoor discharge damper disposed in the indoordischarge chamber and configured to selectively open or close any one ofthe first sharing duct and the second sharing duct; an outdoor suctiondamper disposed in the outdoor suction chamber and configured toselectively open or close any one of the first sharing duct and thesecond sharing duct; and an outdoor discharge damper disposed in theoutdoor discharge chamber and configured to selectively open or closeany one of the first sharing duct and the second sharing duct.

A ventilation apparatus in accordance with another aspect of the presentinvention includes a casing configured to have the inside partitionedinto a first floor and a second floor, a first sharing duct formed inthe first floor and configured to suck one of an indoor air and anoutdoor air and to have the sucked air horizontally moved, a secondsharing duct formed in the second floor and configured to suck the otherof an indoor air and an outdoor air and to have the sucked airhorizontally moved, a first heat exchanger disposed in the first sharingduct, and a second heat exchanger disposed in the second sharing duct.

The ventilation apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention is advantageous in that the resistance of air can beminimized because air is divided into the first floor and the secondfloor and horizontally moved.

Furthermore, the ventilation apparatus in accordance with an embodimentof the present invention is advantageous in that efficiency of heatexchange between the heat exchanger and air can be improved becausehorizontally moved air is uniformly subject to heat exchange with theentire area of the heat exchanger.

Furthermore, the ventilation apparatus in accordance with an embodimentof the present invention is advantageous in that the velocity ofdischarged air is constant because air is horizontally moved with the upand down movements of the air being minimized.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a ventilation apparatus inaccordance with a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an exemplary diagram illustrating that the duct structure ofthe ventilation apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1 is divided into a firstfloor and a second floor in order to describe the duct structure;

FIG. 4 is a first exemplary diagram illustrating that the ventilationapparatus in accordance with the first embodiment of the presentinvention is driven in ventilation mode;

FIG. 5 is a second exemplary diagram illustrating that the ventilationapparatus in accordance with the first embodiment of the presentinvention is driven in ventilation mode;

FIG. 6 is a first exemplary diagram illustrating that the ventilationapparatus in accordance with the first embodiment of the presentinvention is driven in circulation mode;

FIG. 7 is a second exemplary diagram illustrating that the ventilationapparatus in accordance with the first embodiment of the presentinvention is driven in circulation mode;

FIG. 8 is an exemplary diagram illustrating that the duct structure of aventilation apparatus in accordance with a second embodiment of thepresent invention is divided into the first floor and the second floorin order to describe the duct structure;

FIG. 9 is an exemplary diagram illustrating that the duct structure of aventilation apparatus in accordance with a third embodiment of thepresent invention is divided into the first floor and the second floorin order to describe the duct structure; and

FIG. 10 is an exemplary diagram illustrating that the duct structure ofa ventilation apparatus in accordance with a fourth embodiment of thepresent invention is divided into the first floor and the second floorin order to describe the duct structure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention are described indetail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Furthermore, in describing the present invention, a detailed descriptionof a known function or element related to the present invention will beomitted if it is deemed to make the gist of the present inventionunnecessarily vague. It is to be noted that the same terms may beassigned different reference numerals although they are indicative ofdifferent parts.

Furthermore, terms described herein have been adopted by taking intoconsideration functions in the present invention and may be changeddepending on an intention or practice of a user, such as a person whoperforms experiments or measurement. Accordingly, the terms should bedefined based on the overall contents of this specification.

In this specification, terms, such as the first and the second, may beused to describe various elements, but the elements should not berestricted by the terms. The terms are used to only distinguish oneelement and the other element from each other. For example, a firstelement may be named a second element without departing from the scopeof the present invention. Likewise, a second element may be named afirst element. The term “and/or” includes a combination of a pluralityof related and described items or any one of a plurality of related anddescribed items.

The terms used in this application are used to only describe specificembodiments and are not intended to restrict the present invention. Anexpression of the singular number includes an expression of the pluralnumber unless clearly defined otherwise in the context.

All terms used herein, unless defined otherwise, have the same meaningsas those typically understood by those having ordinary skill in the art.The terms, such as ones defined in common dictionaries, should beinterpreted to have the same meanings as terms in the context ofpertinent technology, and should not be interpreted to have ideal orexcessively formal meanings unless clearly defined in the specification.

Furthermore, unless explicitly described to the contrary, the word“comprise” and variations, such as “comprises” or “comprising”, will beunderstood to imply the inclusion of stated elements but not theexclusion of any other elements.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a ventilation apparatus inaccordance with a first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is aplan view of FIG. 1, FIG. 3 is an exemplary diagram illustrating thatthe duct structure of the ventilation apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1 isdivided into a first floor and a second floor in order to describe theduct structure, FIG. 4 is a first exemplary diagram illustrating thatthe ventilation apparatus in accordance with the first embodiment of thepresent invention is driven in ventilation mode, FIG. 5 is a secondexemplary diagram illustrating that the ventilation apparatus inaccordance with the first embodiment of the present invention is drivenin ventilation mode, FIG. 6 is a first exemplary diagram illustratingthat the ventilation apparatus in accordance with the first embodimentof the present invention is driven in circulation mode, and FIG. 7 is asecond exemplary diagram illustrating that the ventilation apparatus inaccordance with the first embodiment of the present invention is drivenin circulation mode.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 7, the ventilation apparatus according to thepresent embodiment includes a casing 10, an outdoor discharge fan 20installed in the casing 10 and configured to discharge air to theoutside, an indoor discharge fan 30 installed in the casing 10 andconfigured to discharge air to the inside, and an air-conditioning unit40 installed in the casing 10 and configured to perform air-conditioningon moved air.

The casing 10 includes a first sharing duct 11 configured to have anindoor air or an outdoor air move therein, a second sharing duct 12configured to have an indoor air or an outdoor air move therein andstacked on the first sharing duct 11, an indoor suction chamber 52connected to the first sharing duct 11 and the second sharing duct 12and configured to suck an indoor air, an indoor discharge chamber 54connected to the first sharing duct 11 and the second sharing duct 12and configured to discharge air to the inside, an outdoor suctionchamber 56 connected to the first sharing duct 11 and the second sharingduct 12 and configured to suck an outdoor air, and an outdoor dischargechamber 58 connected to the first sharing duct 11 and the second sharingduct 12 and configured to discharge air to the outside.

An indoor suction damper 62, an indoor discharge damper 64, an outdoorsuction damper 66, and an outdoor discharge damper 68 configured tocontrol the movement of air to and from the first sharing duct 11 or thesecond sharing duct 12 are disposed in the indoor suction chamber 52,the indoor discharge chamber 54, the outdoor suction chamber 56, and theoutdoor discharge chamber 58, respectively.

The air-conditioning unit 40 is configured to include a compressor 45, afirst heat exchanger 41, a second heat exchanger 42, an expansion valve(not illustrated), and a 4-way refrigerant switching valve (notillustrated).

The air-conditioning unit 40 is a heat pump that may be driven in acooling cycle and a heating cycle. Accordingly, if the first heatexchanger 41 operates as a condenser in response to the switching of therefrigerant switching valve, the second heat exchanger 42 operates as anevaporator. If the first heat exchanger 41 operates as an evaporator inresponse to the switching of the refrigerant switching valve, the secondheat exchanger 42 operates as a condenser.

The operation mechanism of the air-conditioning unit 40 is known tothose skilled in the art, and thus a detailed description thereof isomitted.

In the present embodiment, the first heat exchanger 41 is disposed inthe first sharing duct 11, and the second heat exchanger 42 is disposedin the second sharing duct 12.

The first and second heat exchangers 41, 42 are disposed to cross thefirst and second sharing ducts 11, 12. Accordingly, the first and secondheat exchangers 41, 42 partition the first and second sharing ducts 11,12 into a suction side and a discharge side.

The first heat exchanger 41 and its supporting structure extend from oneside wall of the first sharing duct 11 to the opposing side wall of thefirst sharing duct 11 to form a wall between the suction side and thedischarge side of the first sharing duct 11. In this way, a room forreceiving air is provided at the suction side in the first sharing duct11 and next to one side of the heat exchanger 41, and a room forreceiving air is provided at the discharge side in the first sharingduct 11 and next to the other side of the heat exchanger 41.

Similarly, the second heat exchanger 42 and its supporting structureextend from one side wall of the second sharing duct 12 to the opposingside wall of the second sharing duct 12 to form a wall between thesuction side and the discharge side of the second sharing duct 12. Inthis way, a room for receiving air is provided at the suction side inthe second sharing duct 12 and next to one side of the heat exchanger42, and a room for receiving air is provided at the discharge side inthe second sharing duct 12 and next to the other side of the heatexchanger 42.

The suction side is a duct connected to the indoor suction chamber 52and the outdoor suction chamber 56, and the discharge side is a ductconnected to the indoor discharge chamber 54 and the outdoor dischargechamber 58.

Furthermore, air that moves from the suction side of the first sharingduct 11 or second sharing duct 12 to the discharge side is subject toheat exchange while passing through the first heat exchanger 41 or thesecond heat exchanger 42.

When air is subject to heat exchange with the first and second heatexchangers 41, 42, air moves horizontally while maintaining a samelevel, and the moved air is uniformly subject to heat exchange with theentire area of the first and second heat exchangers 41, 42.

Furthermore, a desiccant coating capable of absorbing moisture in theair is formed on a surface of the first and second heat exchangers 41,42.

The desiccant coating is a material capable of absorbing moisture in theair and discharging absorbed air into the air when heat is applied tothe material. The material is commonly used by those skilled in the art,and thus a detailed description thereof is omitted.

In the present embodiment, the first and second heat exchangers 41, 42are alternately used as a condenser or evaporator depending on a cycle.If one of the first and second heat exchangers 41, 42 is used as theevaporator, it absorbs moisture. If one of the first and second heatexchangers 41, 42 is used as the condenser, it discharges absorbedmoisture into the air.

The compressor 45 is disposed in a separate machine room 15 formed inthe casing 10.

The indoor suction damper 62, the indoor discharge damper 64, theoutdoor suction damper 66, and the outdoor discharge damper 68 have thesame structure and selectively open or close the first sharing duct 11or the second sharing duct 12.

The indoor suction damper 62, the indoor discharge damper 64, theoutdoor suction damper 66, and the outdoor discharge damper 68 may befabricated to have various structures. In the present embodiment, theyare configured to open or close the duct through a shutter method.

For example, the indoor suction damper 62 may selectively open or closeat least one of the first and the second sharing ducts 11 and 12. Whenthe indoor suction damper 62 is open in response to a control signal, anindoor air may move to at least one of the first sharing duct 11 and thesecond sharing duct 12 through the indoor suction chamber 52.

In the present embodiment, dampers connected to the first sharing duct11 are defined as a first indoor suction damper 62-1, a first indoordischarge damper 64-1, a first outdoor suction damper 66-1, and a firstoutdoor discharge damper 68-1. Dampers connected to the second sharingduct 12 are defined as a second indoor suction damper 62-2, a secondindoor discharge damper 64-2, a second outdoor suction damper 66-2, anda second outdoor discharge damper 68-2.

Furthermore, a location that belongs to the casing 10 and where thefirst sharing duct 11 is placed is defined as the first floor, and alocation that belongs to the casing 10 and where the second sharing duct12 is placed is called the second floor.

The indoor suction chamber 52, the indoor discharge chamber 54, theoutdoor suction chamber 66, and the outdoor discharge chamber 68 may bepartitioned and formed into the first floor and the second floor. In thepresent embodiment, however, the indoor suction chamber 52, the indoordischarge chamber 54, the outdoor suction chamber 66, and the outdoordischarge chamber 68 are formed to share the first floor and the secondfloor.

Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the outdoor discharge fan 20 isdisposed in the outdoor discharge chamber 58, and the indoor dischargefan 30 is disposed in the indoor discharge chamber 54.

An operation of the ventilation apparatus in accordance with the firstembodiment of the present invention is described in detail below withreference to related drawings.

Ventilation Mode

In ventilation mode, some of an indoor air is discharged to the outside,and fresh air is sucked from the outside and supplied to the inside.

In this case, in the ventilation apparatus according to the presentembodiment, while the ducts in the first floor and the second floor arealternately open and closed, an outdoor air is supplied to the inside,and an indoor air is discharged to the outside.

For example, a case where an outdoor air is supplied to the insidethrough the first floor and an indoor air is discharged to the outsidethrough the second floor is described below (refer to FIG. 4).

First, in order to supply the outdoor air to the inside, the firstoutdoor suction damper 66-1 and the first indoor discharge damper 64-1disposed in the first floor are open, and the remaining dampers disposedin the first floor are closed.

Furthermore, in order to discharge the indoor air to the outside, thesecond indoor suction damper 62-2 and the second outdoor dischargedamper 68-2 disposed in the second floor are open, and the remainingdampers disposed in the second floor are closed.

In this case, the outdoor discharge fan 20 and the indoor discharge fan30 are respectively driven to move air in the second floor and the firstfloor.

In such a case, the outdoor air is supplied to the inside through thefirst floor, and the indoor air is discharged to the outside through thesecond floor.

In this case, the state of the first and second heat exchangers 41, 42disposed in the first and second floors may be changed from a condenseror evaporator state to an evaporator or condenser state. In such a case,the first and second floors reverse the direction of a movement.

If the function of the first and second heat exchangers 41, 42 isalternated, the indoor air is discharged through the first floor, andthe outdoor air is supplied through the second floor (refer to FIG. 5).

Accordingly, in order to discharge the indoor air through the firstfloor, the first indoor suction damper 62-1 and the first outdoordischarge damper 68-1 are open, and the remaining dampers are closed.

Furthermore, in order to supply the outdoor air through the secondfloor, the second outdoor suction damper 66-2 and the second indoordischarge damper 64-2 are open, and the remaining dampers are closed.

If ducts are configured by controlling the dampers as in FIG. 4 or 5,air moving from the outside to the inside and air moving from the insideto the outside horizontally move through different layers and uniformlycome in contact with the entire area of the first heat exchanger 41 orthe second heat exchanger 42, thereby being capable of being subject toheat exchange.

In particular, if air is subject to heat exchange while moving throughthe first sharing duct 11 and the second sharing duct 12 that arehorizontally disposed as in the present embodiment, there are advantagesin that the resistance of the moving air can be minimized and thevelocity of the air can be regularly maintained.

Furthermore, a vortex formed in moving air can be minimized because thefirst sharing duct 11 and the second sharing duct 12 are formed in astraight line.

For example, if air moves while forming a difference of altitude, airthat moves from the upper side to the lower side has a faster velocitythan air that moves from the lower side to the upper side. Accordingly,there is a difference of a flux between air that is sucked to the insideand discharged air. If air sucked to the inside and discharged air movein the same layer as in the present embodiment, there are advantages inthat a difference of a flux between the suction side and the dischargeside can be minimized and resistance occurring while the air moves canbe minimized.

Circulation Mode

In circulation mode, dampers are controlled so that an indoor air issucked and discharged to the inside.

First, a case where an indoor air is circulated in the first floor andan outdoor air is circulated in the second floor is described below withreference to FIG. 6.

If the indoor air is circulated in the first floor, the first indoorsuction damper 62-1 and the first outdoor discharge damper 64-1 are openand the remaining dampers are closed.

If the outdoor air is circulated in the second floor, the second outdoorsuction damper 66-2 and the second outdoor discharge damper 68-2 areopen and the remaining dampers are closed.

In this case, the outdoor discharge fan 20 discharges the air in thesecond floor to the outside, and the indoor discharge fan 30 circulatesthe indoor air.

Furthermore, the outdoor discharge fan 20 may not operate orintermittently operate depending on an operating condition, such as anexternal temperature.

Next, a case where an indoor air is circulated in the second floor andan outdoor air is circulated in the first floor is described below withreference to FIG. 7.

If an outdoor air is circulated in the first floor, the first outdoorsuction damper 66-1 and the first outdoor discharge damper 68-1 are openand the remaining dampers are closed.

If an indoor air is circulated in the second floor, the second indoorsuction damper 62-2 and the second indoor discharge damper 64-2 are openand the remaining dampers are closed.

In this case, the outdoor discharge fan 20 discharges the air in thefirst floor to the outside, and the indoor discharge fan 30 circulatesthe indoor air.

Dehumidification and Humidification

In the ventilation apparatus according to the present embodiment, adesiccant coating capable of absorbing moisture is provided on the firstheat exchanger 41 and the second heat exchanger 42. Accordingly, whenthe ventilation apparatus is driven in ventilation mode or circulationmode, the inside can be dehumidified or humidified depending on a user'schoice.

When a user selects dehumidification, the control unit (not illustrated)of the ventilation apparatus may drive a heat exchanger, disposed in theduct of air discharged to the inside, as an evaporator and removemoisture in the air by performing heat exchange on the evaporator andair supplied to the inside.

For example, in ventilation mode, the control unit may performdehumidification on air that is supplied from the outside and dischargedto the inside. In circulation mode, the control unit may performdehumidification on air that is sucked from the inside and discharged tothe inside.

Furthermore, when a user selects humidification, the control unit drivesa heat exchanger, disposed on the duct of air discharged to the inside,as a condenser and discharges moisture into the air by performing heatexchange on the condenser and air supplied to the inside.

In this case, the first and second heat exchangers 41, 42 alternatelyoperate as the evaporator or condenser and absorb moisture from the airor discharge moisture into the air. The control unit calculates theamount of moisture accumulated in the first and second heat exchangers41, 42 by detecting a temperature and humidity in moving air.

Accordingly, if dehumidification or humidification is performed, theventilation apparatus according to the present embodiment determinesthat any one of the first heat exchanger 41 and the second heatexchanger 42 will be used as a condenser or an evaporator by changingthe 4-way valve of the air-conditioning unit 40.

FIG. 8 is an exemplary diagram illustrating that the duct structure of aventilation apparatus in accordance with a second embodiment of thepresent invention is divided into the first floor and the second floorin order to describe the duct structure.

The ventilation apparatus according to the present embodiment includes aplurality of heat exchangers disposed in a single layer, unlike in thefirst embodiment.

More specifically, the ventilation apparatus according to the presentembodiment may include two first heat exchangers 41-1 and 41-2. One(e.g., 41-1) of the two first heat exchangers is installed close to thefirst indoor discharge damper 64-1, and the other (e.g., 41-2) of thetwo first heat exchangers is installed close to the first outdoordischarge damper 68-1.

Furthermore, one (e.g., 42-1) of two second heat exchangers is installedclose to the second indoor discharge damper 64-2, and the other (e.g.,42-2) of the two second heat exchangers is installed close to the secondoutdoor discharge damper 68-2.

In this case, the first and second heat exchangers may include at leasttwo heat exchangers separated from each other. Accordingly, there is anadvantage in that the heat exchangers can be optimized for and installedin the duct of air.

In the present embodiment, the first and second heat exchangers areinstalled close to the discharge side and are disposed so that air issubject to heat exchange before it is discharged to the inside oroutside. Accordingly, the first and second heat exchanger can beconfigured so that air is subject to heat exchange through a rapid fluxat a location close to the outdoor discharge fan 20 or the indoordischarge fan 30.

Unlike in the present embodiment, the plurality of heat exchangers maybe installed on the suction side. In some embodiments, some of theplurality of heat exchangers may be installed on the suction side, andthe remaining heat exchangers may be installed on the discharge side.Those skilled in the art may dispose such heat exchangers in variousforms depending on an installation structure or duct structure of theventilation apparatus.

The remaining elements are the same as those of the first embodiment,and thus a detailed description thereof is omitted.

FIG. 9 is an exemplary diagram illustrating that the duct structure of aventilation apparatus in accordance with a third embodiment of thepresent invention is divided into the first floor and the second floorin order to describe the duct structure.

The ventilation apparatus according to the present embodiment mayfurther include a guide configured to guide the flow of air andinstalled in at least one of the first sharing duct 11 and the secondsharing duct 12.

In the present embodiment, the guide may include a first suction guide71-1 and a first discharge guide 71-2 installed in the first sharingduct 11 and a second suction guide 72-1 and a second discharge guide72-2 installed in the second sharing duct 12.

In this case, the first suction guide 71-1 is configured to guide suckedair to the first heat exchanger 41, and the second suction guide 72-1 isconfigured to guide sucked air to the second heat exchanger 42.

Furthermore, the first discharge guide 71-2 is configured to guide air,passing through the first heat exchanger 41, to the exit, and the seconddischarge guide 72-2 is configured to guide air, passing through thesecond heat exchanger 42, to the exit.

In the present embodiment, the suction guides 71-1 and 72-1 and thedischarge guides 71-2 and 72-2 have the same shape, and thus the firstsuction guide 71-1 is described as an example.

The first suction guide 71-1 may include one end 73, the other end 75,and a middle part 74.

The one end 73, the other end 75, and the middle part 74 are configuredto have a curved surface.

The first suction guide 71-1 is generally curved in a bow shape, and themiddle part 74 is placed closer to the heat exchanger 41, 42.

That is, the middle part 74 is more protruded than the one end 73 andthe other end 75.

Accordingly, in the first suction guide 71-1, the middle part 74 guidesair that passes through the first outdoor suction damper 66-1 or thefirst indoor suction damper 62-1 so that the flow of the air switches tothe first heat exchanger 41.

In the first discharge guide 71-2, the middle part 74 guides air,passing through the first heat exchanger 41, to the first outdoordischarge damper 68-1 or the first indoor discharge damper 64-1.

In this case, the suction guide or the discharge guide changes thedirection of flowing air and can minimize resistance of air that isgenerated in this process. The suction guide 71-1, 72-1 and thedischarge guide 71-2, 72-2 have streamline shapes by taking thedirection of a flow into consideration and can minimize the generationof a turbulent flow in the first sharing duct 11 or the second sharingduct 12.

In some embodiments, the suction guide or the discharge guide may have aflat surface not a curved surface or may have a triangle in a flat crosssection.

The remaining elements are the same as those of the first embodiment,and thus a detailed description thereof is omitted.

FIG. 10 is an exemplary diagram illustrating that the duct structure ofa ventilation apparatus in accordance with a fourth embodiment of thepresent invention is divided into the first floor and the second floorin order to describe the duct structure.

Unlike in the first embodiment, the ventilation apparatus according tothe present embodiment increases an area brought in contact with thesame air by changing the shape of the first heat exchanger or the secondheat exchanger.

In the present embodiment, a first heat exchanger includes a first heatexchange unit 41-1 and a second heat exchange unit 41-2. The first heatexchange unit 41-1 and the second heat exchange unit 41-2 are assembledto cross each other and protruded toward the inlet side or the exitside.

Like the first heat exchanger, the second heat exchanger includes afirst heat exchange unit 42-1 and a second heat exchange unit 42-2.

Referring to FIG. 10, at least one of the first heat exchanger and thesecond heat exchanger may have a “<” or “>” form. In this case, there isan advantage in that an area coming in contact with air is increasedbecause the length of the heat exchanger is increased.

Furthermore, the velocity of a moving fluid is the fastest in the middlepart of a duct and the slowest in the edge part of the duct due to airresistance. If the heat exchanger is configured to have the “<” or “>”form by taking into consideration the velocity of a moving fluid, thevelocities of a moving fluid in the middle and edge parts may becomeuniform.

The remaining elements are the same as those of the first embodiment,and thus a detailed description thereof is omitted.

Although some exemplary embodiments of the present invention have beendescribed with reference to the accompanying drawings, the presentinvention is not limited to the embodiments, but may be manufactured invarious, different forms. Those skilled in the art to which the presentinvention pertains will appreciate that the present invention may beimplemented in other detailed forms without changing the technicalspirit or essential characteristics of the present invention.Accordingly, it should be understood that the aforementioned embodimentsare not limitative, but are illustrative from all aspects.

What is claimed is:
 1. A ventilation apparatus, comprising: a casinghaving an inside partitioned into a first floor and a second floor; afirst sharing duct provided in the first floor; a second sharing ductprovided in the second floor; a first heat exchanger located in thefirst sharing duct, the first heat exchanger forming a permeable wallthat partitions the first sharing duct into a first entering airflowchamber and a first exit airflow chamber; and a second heat exchangerlocated in the second sharing duct, the second heat exchanger forming apermeable wall that partitions the second sharing duct into a secondentering airflow chamber and a second exit airflow chamber, wherein amain flow direction of air through the first heat exchanger isnon-parallel to a main flow direction of air entering the first enteringairflow chamber, and wherein a main flow direction of air through thesecond heat exchanger is non-parallel to a main flow direction of airentering the second entering airflow chamber.
 2. The ventilationapparatus of claim 1, wherein the main flow direction of air through thefirst heat exchanger is perpendicular to the main flow direction of airentering the first entering airflow chamber, and wherein the main flowdirection of air through the second heat exchanger is perpendicular tothe main flow direction of air entering the second entering airflowchamber.
 3. The ventilation apparatus of claim 1, wherein the firstentering airflow chamber is configured to receive a first one of anindoor air and an outdoor air, and wherein the second entering airflowchamber is configured to receive a second one of an indoor air and anoutdoor air.
 4. The ventilation apparatus of claim 1, wherein the mainflow direction of air through the first heat exchanger is horizontal,and wherein the main flow direction of air through the second heatexchanger is horizontal.
 5. The ventilation apparatus of claim 1,further comprising: an indoor suction chamber connected to the firstentering airflow chamber and the second entering airflow chamber, theindoor suction chamber configured to receive indoor air, an indoordischarge chamber connected to the first exit airflow chamber and thesecond exit airflow chamber, the indoor discharge chamber configured todischarge air indoors, an outdoor suction chamber connected to the firstentering airflow chamber and the second entering airflow chamber, theoutdoor suction chamber configured to receive outdoor air, and anoutdoor discharge chamber connected to the first exit airflow chamberand the second exit airflow chamber, the outdoor discharge chamberconfigured to discharge air outdoors.
 6. The ventilation apparatus ofclaim 5, wherein an indoor discharge fan is located in at least one ofthe indoor suction chamber and the indoor discharge chamber, and whereinan outdoor discharge fan is located in at least one of the outdoorsuction chamber and the outdoor discharge chamber.
 7. The ventilationapparatus of claim 6, wherein the indoor discharge fan is located in theindoor discharge chamber, and wherein the outdoor discharge fan islocated in the outdoor discharge chamber.
 8. The ventilation apparatusof claim 5, further comprising: an indoor suction damper disposed in theindoor suction chamber and configured to selectively open or close anyone of the first sharing duct and the second sharing duct; an indoordischarge damper disposed in the indoor discharge chamber and configuredto selectively open or close any one of the first sharing duct and thesecond sharing duct; an outdoor suction damper disposed in the outdoorsuction chamber and configured to selectively open or close any one ofthe first sharing duct and the second sharing duct; and an outdoordischarge damper disposed in the outdoor discharge chamber andconfigured to selectively open or close any one of the first sharingduct and the second sharing duct.
 9. The ventilation apparatus of claim8, wherein the indoor suction damper comprises: a first indoor suctiondamper configured to open or close the first sharing duct; and a secondindoor suction damper configured to open or close the second sharingduct.
 10. The ventilation apparatus of claim 8, wherein the outdoorsuction damper comprises: a first outdoor suction damper configured toopen or close the first sharing duct; and a second outdoor suctiondamper configured to open or close the second sharing duct.
 11. Theventilation apparatus of claim 8, wherein the indoor discharge dampercomprises: a first indoor discharge damper configured to open or closethe first sharing duct; and a second indoor discharge damper configuredto open or close the second sharing duct.
 12. The ventilation apparatusof claim 8, wherein the outdoor discharge damper comprises: a firstoutdoor discharge damper configured to open or close the first sharingduct; and a second outdoor discharge damper configured to open or closethe second sharing duct.
 13. The ventilation apparatus of claim 5,wherein the first entering airflow chamber is located between the indoorsuction chamber and the outdoor suction chamber, and wherein the firstexit airflow chamber is located between the indoor discharge chamber andthe outdoor discharge chamber.
 14. The ventilation apparatus of claim 1,wherein at least one of the first heat exchanger and the second heatexchanger comprises a first heat exchanger portion and a second heatexchanger portion, the first heat exchanger portion being angularlyoriented with respect to the second heat exchanger portion.
 15. Theventilation apparatus of claim 14, wherein the first heat exchangerportion and the second heat exchanger portion form a ‘V’ shape.
 16. Theventilation apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first entering airflowchamber includes a first suction air guide therein configured toredirect a flow of air entering the first entering airflow chambertoward the first heat exchanger.
 17. The ventilation apparatus of claim16, wherein the first exit airflow chamber includes a first dischargeair guide therein configured to redirect a flow of air exiting the firstheat exchanger toward an exit of the first exit airflow chamber.
 18. Aventilation apparatus, comprising: a casing having an inside partitionedinto a first floor and a second floor; a first sharing duct provided inthe first floor; a second sharing duct provided in the second floor; afirst heat exchanger located in the first sharing duct that partitionsthe first sharing duct into a first entering airflow chamber and a firstexit airflow chamber; a second heat exchanger located in the secondsharing duct that partitions the second sharing duct into a secondentering airflow chamber and a second exit airflow chamber; and a firstsuction air guide located in the first entering airflow chamber andconfigured to redirect a flow of air entering the first entering airflowchamber toward the first heat exchanger.
 19. The ventilation apparatusof claim 18, further comprising: a first discharge air guide located inthe first exit airflow chamber and configured to redirect a flow of airexiting the first heat exchanger toward an exit of the first exitairflow chamber.
 20. The ventilation apparatus of claim 18, wherein: thefirst suction guide comprise a first end, a second end, and a middlepart, the middle part is disposed between the first end and the secondend, and the middle part is placed closer to the first heat exchangercompared to the first end and the second end.
 21. The ventilationapparatus of claim 20, wherein a surface between the first end portionand the intermediate portion is curved, and wherein a surface betweenthe second end portion and the intermediate portion is curved.
 22. Aventilation apparatus, comprising: a casing partitioned into a firstfloor and a second floor; a first sharing duct formed in the firstfloor; a second sharing duct formed in the second floor; a first heatexchanger placed in the first sharing duct and configured to have anabsorption layer for absorbing moisture formed in the first heatexchanger and to divide the first sharing duct into a first inletchamber and a first exit chamber; and a second heat exchanger placed inthe second sharing duct and configured to have an absorption layer forabsorbing moisture formed in the second heat exchanger and to divide thesecond sharing duct into a second inlet chamber and a second exitchamber, wherein a main flow direction of air passing through the firstheat exchanger intersects a main flow direction of air entering thefirst inlet chamber, a main flow direction of air passing through thesecond heat exchanger intersects a main flow direction of air enteringthe second inlet chamber, an indoor suction chamber is connected to thefirst inlet chamber and the second inlet chamber and configured to besupplied with indoor air, an outdoor discharge chamber is connected tothe first exit chamber and the second exit chamber and configured todischarge indoor air, an outdoor suction chamber is connected to thefirst inlet chamber and the second inlet chamber and configured to besupplied with indoor air, an outdoor discharge chamber is connected tothe first exit chamber and the second exit chamber configured to bedischarge indoor air, an indoor suction damper is disposed in the indoorsuction chamber and configured to selectively open and close any one ofthe first sharing duct and the second sharing duct, an indoor dischargedamper is disposed in the indoor discharge chamber and configured toselectively open and close any one of the first sharing duct and thesecond sharing duct, an outdoor suction damper is disposed in theoutdoor suction chamber and configured to selectively open and close anyone of the first sharing duct and the second sharing duct, an outdoordischarge damper is disposed in the outdoor discharge chamber andconfigured to selectively open and close any one of the first sharingduct and the second sharing duct, a suction guide is disposed in atleast one of the first inlet chamber and the second inlet chamber andconfigured to change a flow of introduced air, and a discharge guide isdischarged in at least one of the first exit chamber and the second exitchamber and configured to change a flow of air passing through the firstheat exchanger or the second heat exchanger.